Understand where you stand. 27 nights of Taraweeh summaries.

15th Night of Ramadan 2014

Tonight’s taraweeh consists of the 2nd half of juz 18 and the 1st three-quarters of juz 19.

The Sûrahs covered are the last three-quarters of no.24An-Nûr (Light), no.25 Al-Furqân (The Criterion) & no.26 Ash-Shu’arâ’ (The Poets).

Sûrah An-Nûr (The Light) contd

Piety and Privacy

The instructions are straightforward yet far reaching, ‘O you who believe, follow not the footsteps of Satan.’ And when told to pardon and forgive others, we are asked, ‘Do you not love that Allah forgive you?’

We are prescribed the rules of chaste conduct and personal privacy. Severe penalties are described for those who slander chaste women. We are not to intrude on each other’s privacy and must seek permission before entering someone’s home. Our gazes must restrain themselves from what is forbidden and our dress must be modest.

Allah Almighty reveals the splendid description of His Light (Nur). It is like a niche, within which is a lamp, in a glass, like a brilliant star and the stunning description goes on. Allah guides to His Light to whom He wills. But the state of the disbeliever is like the darkness of a vast deep sea overwhelmed by waves and surrounded by clouds.

Look up at the clouds in the heavens, see how they amass and produce rain, hail and lightning.

It is those who believe and do righteous deeds that are promised succession (to the present rulers) in the earth complete with safety and security.

Then once more Allah Almighty prescribes rules of personal privacy concerning the home and the modesty of elderly women.

One is not to address the Prophet like any other man. We are to obey Allah and His Messenger and offer him our fullest respect.

Sûrah Al-Furqân (The Criterion)

Moderation In Due Proportion

One of Allah’s greatest gifts to mankind is the Qur’ân, which is the criterion (Furqan) by which we may judge what is right or wrong. He has created and measured everything in due proportion yet people insist on attributing the powers of Allah to their idols.

All Allah’s Apostles were ordinary men appointed to guide others to the Right Path. The Unbelievers ask,’Why are not the angels sent down to us? (i.e.why an ordinary man instead?)’ & ‘(Why) do we not see our Lord?’ The response it that when they do the see the angels it will be too late, ‘ no joy will there be to the sinners’.

The wrongdoer will be remorseful saying, ‘Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger, if only I had never taken so and so as a friend, he indeed led me astray from this Reminder (Quran) after it had come to me…’

Now pay attention and consider this world of water that we live in. The rain is Allah’s Mercy that revives the dead earth and quenches thirst. Man was made from water and his kindred created by blood and marriage.

Prostrate before the Most Merciful and walk with humility. Be gentle with the foolish and spend in moderation. And the Believers pray to Allah that their families be the comfort of their eyes and they by appointed leaders of the righteous.

Sûrah Ash-Shu’arâ’ (The Poets)

Revelation and Rhyme

We are once more a witness to the mission of Prophets Moses and Aaron. An intense exchange takes place between Moses and Pharaoh. Pharaoh challenges Moses, asserting his kingship over him. Finally Moses’ Truth prevails over Pharoah whose tyranny is ultimately destroyed.

Abraham challenges his father and his people and shows them the fallacy of their idols and the divinity of the Creator. ‘It is He who guides me, and feeds me and gives me to drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.’ He asks Allah for wisdom, and company of the righteous, that he is mentioned honourably by later generations, that he inherit the Paradise of Delight and that his father be forgiven.

Prophet Noah and his successors warn their people against the distraction of worldly luxuries, personal desires and ancestral traditions. Their rejection of the Truth brings about their destruction. And Allah always sent warners to the communities and was never unjust.

The final revelation was brought down to the heart of the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in the plain Arabic language. And it was announced in the previous scriptures. The Qur’an is the word of an honoured Messenger, not the word of a poet. The poets (shu’ara) are those who roam about spreading lies and praises based on whim, except for those believers who remember Allah and use verse to defend those who have been wronged.

During tonight’s Taraweeh, may we reflect on Allah’s Guidance and ask that He illuminate our journey in life.